DURHAM — Making its second official stop in front of Thompson Hall, the “125 Rochester Express” Wildcat Transit line for the University of New Hampshire arrived on time Monday morning despite bitterly cold temperatures.

Officials said about 16 people commuted on the first run of the day, arriving at UNH at about 6:45 a.m. The second bus made its way on campus at about 7:45 a.m.

The decision to add the Rochester route, which takes approximately 35 minutes between Rochester and UNH, was based on information gathered from faculty, staff and students who live in the Rochester area and would use the new route, according to Mark Hyson, operations supervisor for Wildcat Transit.

“We’re excited about it,” he said.

Hyson and David May, associate vice president for business affairs at UNH, said they expect the ridership to be strong for this new route that will take passengers from the Market Basket Plaza at the Lee Traffic Circle, to the Barrington park and ride on Route 125, and finally to the Home Depot parking lot in Rochester, which will serve as that community’s park and ride lot. From there, the bus will make its way to campus where scheduled on-campus stops include the Leavitt Center, Field House, and McConnell Hall.

May said he expects the bus line will be used just as much as the other routes offered from campus.

“It’s convenient for shopping purposes as well,” May said.

“We’re hoping this grows to have more ridership in the future,” Hyson said.

The addition of the route funded in part by a three year federal grant that will account for 80 percent of the operating expenses. The remaining 20 percent is the responsibility of UNH.

Officials will measure ridership periodically to gauge the new routes level of success.

One-way fare is $1.50, although passengers with valid UNH student or employee IDs may ride for free.